Better than the Lanyon (of old), and on a par with CS Poe. Excellent intro to this author.

I got this book from NetGalley and the author, but would happily have paid for it. 

It's well written, respects readers' brains, respects the characters, has a proper tale to it (i.e. one that's not simply a vehicle for MM sex), doesn't conform to the current tropes in MM (thank goodness) and has been properly edited (I found only a couple of typos). It's definitely a Keeper.

The tale is a mystery, with aspects of the paranormal that aren't the bog-standard offerings of paranormal tales and in  a way, the romance element took a back seat to building the tale and to events, which made me value the author even more. I hate it when everything's going down and the leads manage to find a convenient shelter/shack/room/wardrobe to have sex in, but here the sex came at the right time in the tale and helped build the leads' relationship.

I thought both characters were realistic - one turned amateur sleuth given his 'involvement' in the happenings, and had gifts that helped him, without any TSTL stuff coming in (thank you, dear author). The other, a detective, had been burned personally and professionally and therefore understandably proceeded with caution, and I loved the warring of his heart versus his head that we got to see. 

The tale ends in the start of a HEA, and I will certainly look to read more of these characters. The book has a foundation and premise that could allow a series to organically develop, and yes, this is an author whose works are worth paying for. She's like the Lanyon of old (don't rate the current version), when her tales had an actual mystery that wasn't sussed out in a couple of chapters. Right now, I'd say she's comparable, mystery wise/intrigue wise/intelligent writing wise, to CS Poe, who's Snow and Winter series is one of the best out there, and bonus, Morgan Brice adds the paranormal to an excellent mystery.